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Update #17 We're back on the ground!!! Been a big day today - and we ended with the car back on the ground :parrot: This morning we started out by swapping the brake discs on the front, as Rajvosa quite correctly pointed out that they were back to front :facepalm: Also while I remember, Dad made up a custom bodge-tool to do the steering tie-rods. The interior size of the box-section is exactly the right size to do up the tie-rods, and so with an old socket welded on the other end we were good to go! Then we were on to the drive shaft. We'd prepped it last week but were missing the gasket between the driveshaft and the rear diff. With that procured during the week from Continental BMW, we were good to put the driveshaft back in the car. Greased and ready to go: The offending gasket in place: With some fiddling around, we soon had the driveshaft in place: CSB in place: We torqued up the driveshaft, and reattached the heat shield over the drive shaft, then it was on to reassembling the exhaust. The exhaust system is a bit shiny-er than when it was last photographed, here's a couple of photos before we put it together: There was a fair bit of fiddling to get the exhaust system all back in the right place and located correctly, but we got there, and it's looking good! While we were there we also replaced these trim pieces as one of them was badly damaged, and replacements were cheap: Then it was on with the plastic under-tray components and the rear brace (which I didn't get photos of) and then the (clean) wheels were back on... A couple of hours later (really didn't want to drop it after all the work we've done on it) and it was back on the ground!!! We hooked up the battery, did a final check of everything and fired it up. Given we'd run the starter last week, the fuel lines had charged, etc. and the engine started on the first key-turn. All sounding good (no clanking noises - win) and no dash lights. We let the engine run for a few minutes and switched it off. We were going to give it a short test drive, but night had fallen and we decided that it would be best to do a first test run in daylight - so we have that to look forward to tomorrow. It's been 5 months and 3 days since the car went up on the jacks. With the discovery of the RACP issues, plus the decision to do the rod bearings at the same time, it's turned out to be a larger project than anticipated, but it's been enormous fun, and it's very satisfying to have the car back on the ground, and running :thumbsup2: It's been a huge exercise, and I'm very much indebted to my Dad for the massive amount of time and effort that he's put into this project. It's great to know that the car's in good shape now and that the major maintenance items are all taken care of. Tomorrow we'll move the car out of the garage, give it a bit of a wash and take it for a short test drive. Then next week it'll be off to BMW for a full wheel alignment, a WOF and the driver's airbag recall. I'll also be spending some time helping Dad clean the garage so he and mum can finally park their cars indoors again!!! :hattip:

This is the best thread on bimmersport.

Hahaha, Thanks, I once was blind but now i see.

Ive had 2 E61's, both were pre LCI. I loved them both, one was a 550 motorsport. The 550 was way less trouble than the 525 motorsport. As you have discovered the 550 motorsport is a special car, 270kw of V8 grunt and great comfort, yes that sound system is kicking! Both were my daily driver doing 100km to work, gas usage wasn't too bad. The only thing i didn't like was the lack of after market parts, i.e performance hop ups. Also they run an open diff which just seems weird and was a huge disappointment. The guy who sold me the 550 actually brought it back off me he loved it so much. I would say get the 550, get a warranty and drive it for 6-12 months, you have then at least experienced a $170k new vehicle. http://www.drivesouth.co.nz/news/roadtests/bmw/457/driving-in-lap-of-luxury

Pre are used for fuel trim so not a good idea to remove/disable Plenty of HP left out of the stock tune.

Standing in SCA looking for a fuel filter for a genset and heard staff say to customer "they're all the same, just different brands". He was talking about engine oil.

Hey Guys, Finally the old girl got out of the shed and had a fresh walk round the driveway and house. Got a few problems with the accelerator cable and in search of a new air filter for the Holley carburetor apart from that she is running well and got the finishing touches before she is off for a WoF and Rego Pretty close to the end of this build and looking forward to driving the BM around once the accelerator cable is fixed. Need some rear lowering springs too. Doesn't look quite right with the massive rake. A few photos below that turned out nicely.

Very commendable attention to detail. I approve!

Oddly, as a computer programmer, my expertise is in developing simple ways to express complicated things! Tim

Congrats Tim on the Jazz purchase. Its always surprising to hear (and see) what constitutes someone else's sensible - I am only joking of course. Hope you enjoy your new ride! does this sound familiar to anyone?...

Lee, you used to be sensible and laid-back, concentrating on AWD turbo'd Subarus, and laying down sweet beads of weld on that MOPAR. What happened? Now you're collecting roundel badges and are about to be offered the BMW franchise for New Plymouth! It's a wild transformation man. You wear it well.

totally quote worthy. I just check the dipstick whenever I fill up, and never look behind me for fear of clouds. I find the following somewhat instructional:

Begun to fibreglass up the rear of my custom fitted sub box Also picked up all the wiring I need and fitted Pioneer 4" spearkers into the rear factory mounts. Should hopefully have the full audio setup done by the end of the weekend!

Hi Colin, don't feel so bad i have done the same thing. If you want to you can simple dismantle your cup holder and with pieces from the new one flip them over and reassemble them in their place.

On today's episode of Trademe trials and tribulations, Olaf makes a shilling discovery. On a serious note, this car has been discussed at least 3 times now, including before the original owner bought it. Each time it was "overpriced and underspecced", let's not forget LHD. But the guy really didn't want to listen and sadly got ripped off IMO. As well as any consecutive buyers if they buy anywhere near what they're asking.

The red LHD just doesn't seem right. Not to mention bidder "Ulika", who reeks of shill. Bidding up to within 15% of the reserve, then asking "I have viewed this car ... one of the cleanest in NZ .... am I far off the reserve ?" he already knows this, he's within 15% so the reserve is a maximum of $10,550 + 15% = $12,132.50. It's an overpriced e30 325i. The owner has over-capitalised in the car, and is expecting to recoup his costs. Good luck with that. Not to mention a non-sensical advert. Those wheels are total vom. /rant

I love how he has 6 Photos of the car, and 8 Photos of the polishing machine and accessories.

In prep for the Gentle Annie this weekend i replaced the transmission fluid, after much thought decided to go with Motul, its the same specs as the BMW fluid 75w80. A $10 oil pump made the job pretty easy :-). The difference is very noticeable, the gearbox is a lot less notchy and down shifts esp are smoother. Super happy.

doing your engine mounts and trans mounts will transform it in terms of vibration and noise. on our lowly 325i it made a huge difference. Used Lemforder OEM, from memory.